(REAL) Events Leading to The Declaration of Independence

United Colonies of New England

May 19, 1643

Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven form a military alliance.

Townshend Acts

Jun 29, 1767

Great Britain put taxes on imports of glass, lead, paper, and tea.

Boston Massacre

Mar 5, 1770

British troops shot at colonists, which led to 5 colonists dead and 6 wounded.

Boston Tea Party

Mar 15, 1773

Colonists, angered by the Tea Act, dumped millions of tons of tead into the Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

Mar 24, 1774

It was passed as a punishment for the Boston Tea Party. It allowed the Royal Governor to move trials, even to England, banned town meetings that didn't have the Royal Governor's approval, closed the Boston Port until the cost of the tea dumped was paid for, and allowed British officers to stay in colonist's houses or empty buildings if barracks were unavailable.

First Continental Congress

Sep 5, 1774

All of the colonies, except Georgia, got together to discuss their response to the Intolerable Acts.

Stamp Act

Mar 22, 1775

Great Britain put taxes on most papers, such as newspapers and trading cards. It was later repealed in 1776.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

Apr 19, 1775

These battles were the start of the American Revolution. British soldier were sent to stop the colonists from building an army and to gather any weapons colonists had. In the end, the colonists defeated the British.

Second Continental Congress

May 10, 1775

All of the colonies got together to write and sent The Olive Branch Petition to King George III to try and resolve the disputes between the colonies and Great Britain.

"Common Sense"

Jan 10, 1776

A book/pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, that states that King George III wasn't a good king and that it was time for the colonies to become independent.